Biomedical subjects

G Medhin

Publications and source records attributed to G Medhin.

15 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Clinical outcome in bipolar disorder in a community-based follow-up study in Butajira, Ethiopia.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the clinical outcome of bipolar disorder in a developing country setup. METHOD: After assessing 68 378 individuals, aged 15-49 years, in a double-sampling design in a rural community in Ethiopia, 312 patients with bipolar disorder were prospectively monitored with symptom rating scales and clinically for an average of 2.5 years. RESULTS: Overall, 65.9% of the cohort experienced a relapse--47.8% manic, 44.3% depressive and 7.7% mixed episodes--and 31.1% had persistent illness. Female gender predicted depressive relapse, while male gender predicted manic relapse. Being on psychotropic medication was associated with remission. CONCLUSION: This large community-based study confirms the relapsing nature of bipolar disorder and a tendency for chronicity. This may be partly because of lack of appropriate interventions in this setting; however, it may also indicate the underlying severity of the disorder irrespective of setting.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2005

Short-term symptomatic and functional outcomes of schizophrenia in Butajira, Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Prospective outcome studies based on a community sample of mostly neuroleptic naive cases of schizophrenia are uncommon. OBJECTIVES: To describe short-term symptomatic and functional outcomes of schizophrenia, and potential predictors of outcome. METHODS: After a baseline assessment, 63 incident and 208 prevalent cases of schizophrenia were followed by a yearly clinical assessment for an average of 2.5 (range 1-4) years. Scores of negative symptoms and positive symptoms were used as indicators of symptomatic outcomes. SF-36 scores of physical and social functioning, and role limitation due to mental health problems were used as indicators of functional outcomes. Several variables were evaluated as potential predictors of outcome in random coefficient models. RESULTS: Functioning and other measures of health related quality of life were significantly diminished in cases as compared to the general population of the area at baseline and follow up. Of the socio-demographic and clinical factors evaluated, only lower negative and positive symptom scores were significantly associated with improvements in functioning. The level of functioning observed in cases from Butajira was lower than that reported for cases from developed countries. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings are not in accord with other outcome studies that have reported better functional outcome for cases of schizophrenia from developing countries.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2004

Study on coccidiosis of scavenging indigenous chickens in Central Ethiopia.

An investigation was made into coccidiosis of 190 scavenging indigenous chickens between September 2000 and April 2001 in three selected agroclimatic zones, in central Ethiopia. This was done through clinical, postmortem and microscopic examinations. Data were processed by chi-square and Mantel-Haenzel test. The study indicated that 25.8% (49/190) of the chickens were infected with coccidiosis and found to harbour one to four different species of Eimeria. Of these infected chickens, 30 (15.8%) and 19 (10.0%) were positive for clinical and sub-clinical coccidiosis, respectively. There was a significant altitude difference (chi2 = 14.7, p <0.001) in coccidiosis prevalence: 42.2% in chickens from highland region followed by 21.5% in mid-altitude and 13.1% in low-altitude areas. When quantified, the prevalence of coccidiosis was 2.66 and 4.83 times higher in the high-altitude than in mid-altitude (odds ratio, OR = 2.66, p<0.05) and low-altitude (OR = 4.83, p<0.001) chickens. The pathogenic Eimeria species responsible for clinical coccidiosis were E. necatrix, E. acervulina, E. maxima and E. tenella. With increasing demand for poultry products in developing countries, knowledge of production constraints in traditional management practices could help devise control strategies for constraints on backyard poultry production systems.

Altitude↗

PubMed2004

Comparative efficacy of albendazole and three brands of mebendazole in the treatment of ascariasis and trichuriasis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the comparative efficacy of 400 mg albendazole (Smith Kline Beecham) as a single dose and three brands of mebendazole (Janssen, Unibios and East African Pharmaceuticals) at doses of 100 mg twice a day for three consecutive days in the treatment of single or mixed infections with Ascaris lumbricoides and or Trichuris trichiura in four treatment groups of school children. DESIGN: Randomized trial. SETTING: Wondo-Genet, southern Ethiopia. SUBJECTS: School children, aged six to nineteen years. RESULTS: The percentage cure rate and egg reduction rate obtained with albendazole and mebendazole from the three brands were not significantly different in the treatment of ascariasis. However, significant differences were found among the percentage cure rates and egg reduction rates of the four treatment groups in the treatment of trichuriasis. Comparatively, high cure rate (89.8%) and egg reduction rate (99.1%) were observed in vermox (Janssen) treated group followed by Unibios (India) treated group (53.3% and 96.53% cure and egg reduction rates, respectively), whereas low cure rate (17.1%) and egg reduction rate (69.8%) were seen in the albendazole treated group. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that in areas of single or mixed infections with Trichuris trichiura and/or Ascaris lumbricoides are common public health problems and where laboratory facilities are not available to make parasite identification, mebendazole (particularly vermox, a product of Janssen laboratory) would be the drug of choice to treat trichuriasis and ascariasis. However, either mebendazole from the different brands or albendazole is effective in the treatment of ascariasis in areas where trichuriasis is not prevalent.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2002

Neurological soft signs (NSS) in 200 treatment-naïve cases with schizophrenia: a community-based study in a rural setting.

Several studies have reported neurological soft signs (NSS) to be common in individuals with schizophrenia. The majority of these studies are based on clinical samples exposed to neuroleptic treatment. The present study reports on 200 treatment-naïve and community-identified cases of schizophrenia and 78 healthy individuals from the same area, evaluated using the Neurological Evaluation Scale (NES). The median NES score was 5.0 for cases of schizophrenia and 1.5 for healthy subjects. The impairment rate of NSS in cases with schizophrenia was 65.0% against 50.0% in healthy subjects, and the difference was statistically significant (chi2 = 5.30; df = 1; P < 0.021). NSS abnormality is as common in treatment-naïve cases as reported in many studies in those on neuroleptic medication. There was no significant relation between the NSS impairment and duration of illness, remission status, positive symptoms, negative symptoms and disorganized symptoms.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2002

Control of Schistosoma mansoni by the soapberry Endod (Phytolacca dodecandra) in Wollo, northeastern Ethiopia: post-intervention prevalence.

OBJECTIVES: To record the effect of Endod soap and spraying of soaked Endod suspension on the prevalence of human schistosomiasis. DESIGN: A cross-sectional epidemiological study in which pre- and post-intervention parasitological results were compared. SETTING: Kemise, Bati and Harbu towns in northeastern Ethiopia. SUBJECTS: The study subjects included all members of the five per cent households systematically selected from the three towns. RESULTS: In Kemise town, where suspension of ground Endod was sprayed on the stream containing infected snails, the prevalence of the disease was reduced from 59% to 53% and the mean intensity of infection was reduced from 239 eggs per gram (EPG) of faeces to 99 EPG (p < 0.05). In Bati town where Endod soap approach was used, the respective reduction in the prevalence and intensity of infection was from 51% to 43% and from 195 EPG to 162 EPG (p < 0.05). There was also a significant reduction of the disease in the control town probably due to the effects of praziquantel treatment and other factors. CONCLUSION: The reduction achieved in the prevalence and intensity of schistosomiasis after an intervention period of four years was limited. This observation corroborates the fact that molluscicides must always be considered as supplementary to chemotherapy in the control of schistosomiasis. Although both approaches can be used, the spraying approach appears to be simpler and more feasible because two or three times yearly application of Endod suspension would suppress snail population and reduce transmission. Nevertheless, the choice as to what approach to use must be made on the basis of community preference, and for some soap-effect of Endod would be attractive

Adolescent↗

PubMed1999

Praziquantel side effects and efficacy related to Schistosoma mansoni egg loads and morbidity in primary school children in north-east Ethiopia.

A total of 611 Schistosoma mansoni infected primary school children from three schools in north-east Ethiopia were treated with praziquantel at 40 mg/kg body weight in a single dose. Pre-treatment, 40.4% had no presenting symptoms and 30-40% had nausea, abdominal cramps and/or bloody-mucoid diarrhoea. None of the pre-treatment symptoms was related to nutritional status, intensity of S. mansoni egg excretion, or to the presence of other concomitant intestinal parasitic infections. During the first 4-6 h post-treatment observation period, 90 (14.7%) children self-presented with severe gastro-intestinal symptoms. Children who self-presented with severe symptoms had a higher mean age and mean S. mansoni egg excretion compared with children who did not self-present. The following day a total of 529 (86.6%) children, including all who self-presented during the first 4-6 h post-treatment, reported for clinical check-up and were subjected to a structured questionnaire interview on symptoms they had experienced over the time lapse following treatment. Among these, 91.5% reported one or more treatment related symptoms which were at times severe. Abdominal cramps (86.9%), diarrhoea with blood and/or mucus (49.5%), dizziness (31.2%) and vomiting (24.9%) were the most common treatment related symptoms. Skin rash with oedema were observed in four cases. Among treatment related symptoms, the combination of abdominal cramps with vomiting, bloody diarrhoea, vomiting alone and general weakness were significantly higher among the malnourished. A proportion of these symptoms increased with increasing categories of S. mansoni egg excretion before and after adjusting for nutritional status and concurrent intestinal parasitic infections. Overall, the cure rate of praziquantel, among 541 children who had stool examination 5 weeks after treatment was 83.2% and this rate decreased with increasing pre-treatment egg counts. In conclusion, most of the treatment related symptoms were mild. However, some of the objective symptoms were at times severe and may reduce drug compliance in primary health care based population chemotherapy.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

Delayed reinfection of Schistosoma mansoni in the Blue Nile Valley of western Ethiopia 10 years after mass chemotherapy.

In the Blue Nile Valley of western Ethiopia a successful control programme against Schistosomiasis mansoni starting from 1985 was in 1989 interrupted by local guerrilla warfare. The control was based on human mass chemotherapy campaigns during the rainy season of 1985 and 1986 and a limited annual, focal molluscicidal activity where re-infection was demonstrated. In 1995 the area was revisited and selected schools in previously hyperinfected villages were examined for reinfection. The results were compared to re-calculated figures for the 5-19 year age group from previous pre-, per- and post-control surveys in the same localities. In 1995 prevalence rates in the 5-19 year age group had risen to 68% (Salba-Korka) and 63% (Sirba), which are very close to the 1985-1986 pre-control prevalences. Infection intensities, however, had not risen to the same degree. In Salba-Korka the 1986 pre-control geometric mean S. mansoni eggs per gram of faeces in the 5-19 year age group was 73, after mass treatment until 1989 it was close to 0, whereas in 1995 it was still only 27. In Sirba the result was similar. This might indicate a slower transmission rate after the control period than previously. The reported seasonality of transmission and the local use of the molluscicidal bark of the 'Bitza' tree might possibly have had some delaying effect.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1998

Epidemiology of schistosomiasis mansoni in three endemic communities in north-east Ethiopia: baseline characteristics before endod based intervention.

As part of a pre-intervention baseline data collection the epidemiological characteristics of schistosomiasis mansoni were studied in 3 endemic communities (Kemise, Harbu and Bati towns) in northeast Ethiopia in April and May 1994. The objective was to generate data based on which post-intervention differences (in changes), if any, in transmission level could partly be explained for the 3 towns. After calculating the sample size required for each town 132, 75, 158 households were selected by systematic random sampling from Kemise, Harbu and Bati, respectively and all members of the selected households stool was examined by the Kato's thick smear method. Eighty eight and 85% of the houses harboured one or more cases of Schistosoma mansoni in Kemise and in Bati, respectively, all members of the households being positive in 27% in Kemise and in 28% in Bati. The overall prevalences were 59%, 33% and 51% in Kemise, Harbu and Bati, respectively, with the corresponding geometric mean egg counts (epg) of 240, 123 and 195 for positives and 26.5 and 15 for the whole populations. All ages combined, there were no significant differences due to sex both in prevalence and intensity of infection. By age, children in the 10-14 years age group were most affected (p = 0.007), their prevalences reaching 86%, 52% and 66% in Kemise, Harbu and Bati, respectively and their corresponding geometric mean epg being 377, 157 and 401, respectively. Heavy infection (> 100 epg) reached 42%, 32% and 16% in Kemise, Bati and Harbu, respectively, reaching an average of 55% among the 10-14 years of age. The implications of the epidemiological findings and the possible use of the household approach for rapid assessment of schistosomiasis magnitude in an area are discussed.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1997

Morphometric separation of females of Phlebotomus (Phlebotomus) duboscqi and P. (P.) bergeroti (Diptera:Psychodidae).

Morphometric evaluation of 27 characters of allopatric females of the closely related species, Phlebotomus duboscqi Neveu-Lemaire and P. bergeroti Parrot, was made in Ethiopia with the aim of finding reliable means to distinguish sympatric specimens. By applying stepwise discriminant analysis, 100% correct classification was obtained using 8 characters. However, 2 of these characters, C3 and C4 (respective distances from sockets of the longest ascoids on segment 3 and 4 to distal margin of the segment) with the highest discriminant loadings, separated these 2 species with a success rate of 98%. It is recommended that these 2 characters be used in the routine identification of these species.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

Seroepidemiological and leishmanin skin test surveys of visceral leishmaniasis in south and southwest Ethiopia.

Sero-epidemiological and leishmanin skin test surveys of visceral leishmaniasis were carried out in eight localities of South and Southwest Ethiopia between the July 1989 and June 1992. A total number of 4870 subjects comprising semi-pastoral nomads, peasants and farm labourers were included in the study. Areas of high and low leishmanin skin test positivity were identified, with rates varying from 1.0-80.5%. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to determine prevalence of antileishmanial antibodies. The rates varied from 1.8% to 27.8%. Age and sex related serological and leishmanin skin test profiles are described. Correlation analysis of serological and leishmanin skin test was made for data in each locality. The relationships between seroprevalence, leishmanin skin test rates and prevalence of active visceral leishmaniasis and the implications on degrees of endemicity and patterns of transmission are discussed.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1996

Decline of urinary schistosomiasis in Kurmuk town, western Ethio-Sudanese border, Ethiopia.

Urine examination of the residents of Kurmuk town, Western Ethio-Sudanese border, done in April 1993, showed that Schistosoma haematobium infection has now declined to 5.7% from 30.2% in 1981. The current intensity of infection is also as low as 20 eggs/10 ml urine. However, the finding of infected Bulinus africanus indicates resurgence of urinary schistosomiasis in the town. Possible factors that may have contributed to the decline and measures required to contain the disease are discussed.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1996

Schistosomiasis in Addis Ababa.

With increased migration of infected people into cities schistosomiasis is increasingly becoming an urban disease in many endemic countries, including Ethiopia. Recently, 9 children (11-15 years of age) from an elementary school in Addis were found positive for S. mansoni by stool examination. Eight of the children reported to have never been outside Addis, information which was also confirmed from their parents/guardians. The possible occurrence of authochtonous transmission of intestinal schistosomiasis in Addis and the possible factors responsible for this are discussed and the need for more systematic survey suggested.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1995

Comparison of urine filtration and a chemical reagent strip in the diagnosis of urinary schistosomiasis in Ethiopia.

The diagnostic efficacy of a chemical reagent strip (Ames Multistix) was compared with syringe-Nytrel urine filtration technique in the detection of S. haematobium infection at varying disease endemicity levels in the Awash Valley of Ethiopia. In low endemicity area (Afambo), the reagent strip showed highest sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of 80%, 96%, 40% and 99% respectively at "1+ limit" of microhaematuria. In the moderate (Dahitele) to high (Enta Doyta) areas, the highest diagnostic values of 77%, 83%, 56% and 93% respectively and 78%, 67%, 51% and 87% respectively were obtained at "trace limit". Using these cut-off points of haematuria, the prevalence of S. haematobium were 4.5%, 30.8% and 47% at low, moderate and high endemicity areas compared to 3.2%, 21% and 31% respectively using the filtration technique. A highly significant (maximum Kendall's tau = 0.44271; p < 0.002) was observed between N + 1 transformed geometric mean egg counts and micro-haematuria in the 10-19 years of age at all levels of endemicity. The efficacy and simplicity of chemical reagent strips and limitations of single parasitological examinations are discussed.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1994

Variability of egg excretion in Schistosoma mansoni infection in Ethiopia: a case report.

An Ethiopian boy, aged 18 years, and heavily infected with S. mansoni (1250 eggs per gram of faeces), gave stool sample for microscopy three times a day (at 9:00 am, 1:00 pm and 4:00 pm) for 5 consecutive days. Each time two slides were prepared by the modified Kato's thick-smear technique. The maximum egg count at each examination was converted to eggs per gram of faeces (EPG). There was no significant variability (at 10% level, F-value = 0.04) in in egg counts made at different times of the day. However, the coefficient of variations between the egg counts made on different days were fairly high ranging from nearly 61% to 73% and the differences being highly significant at 10% level (F value = 4.076). The implications of this day-to-day variability of S. mansoni faecal excretion in "selected" chemotherapy in Ethiopia is discussed.

Adolescent↗